Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Leg – Socket holder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-08-14
Willse, David H. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Leg
Socket holder
C623S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273918
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of prosthetic attachment systems in general, and in particular to a prosthetic detachment system that employs a means for interrupting the magnetic attraction between a magnetized prosthesis and prosthesis sock.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,743,264; 5,139,523; 5,226,918; 5,507,835; and 5,507,837, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse prosthesis attachment systems including at least one such system that relies upon magnetic attraction.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical method for effecting the releasable engagement between a magnetically engaged prosthesis and prosthetic sock.
As most amputees are all too well aware, one of the main problems with wearing a prosthesis involves the engagement and/or disengagement of the prosthetic sock with the prosthesis.
This is particularly true in a magnetic attachment system wherein the relative strength of the magnets employed to ensure a secure connection between the components also creates a proportionate problem in separating the components when desired.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved method of disengaging a prosthetic sock having a magnetic member from a prosthesis sleeve that is likewise equipped with another magnetic member, and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the magnetic detachment system for prosthetics comprises in general, a detachment tool that can be interposed between the magnetically attractive members that are embedded in both a prosthetic sleeve and the socket portion of the prosthesis to disrupt the magnetic attraction between the magnetically attractive members to permit the prosthetic sleeve to be easily removed from the magnetic socket.
As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, the socket portion of the prosthesis is provided with an elongated horizontally disposed slot which extends through at least one side of the socket and is generally aligned in a tangential fashion with the top surface of the magnetic member that is disposed within the socket portion such that a detachment tool can be interposed between the magnetic members in both the prosthetic socket and the prosthetic sleeve to disengage the magnetic members.
In one version of the preferred embodiment, the detachment tool has a magnetic head wherein the magnetic poles are inserted in a repelling fashion relative to the magnetic poles of the respective magnetic members in both the prosthetic sleeve and socket. In the other version of the preferred embodiment, the head of the detachment tool is magnetically inert and relies on a forcible manual separation of the magnetic members to reduce the force of the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic members.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4743264 (1988-05-01), Sherva-Parker
patent: 5139523 (1992-08-01), Paton et al.
patent: 5226918 (1993-07-01), Silagy et al.
patent: 5507835 (1996-04-01), Jore
patent: 5507837 (1996-04-01), Laghi
Paolone, Jr. John
Yuhasz Jason R.
Henderson & Sturm LLP
Stewart Alvin
Willse David H.
LandOfFree
Magnetic detachment system for prosthetics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Magnetic detachment system for prosthetics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magnetic detachment system for prosthetics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2506040